By: PK Correspondent
Srinagar: The stage is set for setting up of two benches of Central Administrative Tribunal (CAT) in Jammu and Srinagar which were recently approved by the Union Cabinet headed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
According to the sources the Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT) has mooted a proposal for creation of 72 posts of officers and staff in different grades.
It’s in place to mention here one bench of the CAT is already functioning in Jammu and Kashmir. “A proposal for creation of 72 posts of officers and staff of different grades is currently under process with the Government and might be approved shortly,” official sources said.
Among 72 posts, 36 each will be for Jammu and Srinagar benches respectively.
Jammu bench of the CAT has been functioning by deputing officers/staff on tour or by temporary transfer of officers/staff from different benches of the Tribunal along with posts. But in Srinagar there is no CAT Bench. “With the creation new posts the CAT will get its own permanent staff,” sources added.
The Estates Department of Jammu and Kashmir Government has allotted erstwhile State Vigilance Commission office in old Assembly complex at Shergari in Srinagar to the Central Administrative Tribunal for establishing bench.
“Possession of a part of available space in old Assembly complex allotted to CAT has been taken over but lacks furniture and electricity/water connection. On inspecting the building it has been found that renovation/modification/repair work are pre-requisite and the concerned authorities are required to be approached to execute the work before making the bench operational,” sources said.
The employees of Ladakh can approach any of the two benches for redressal of their grievances, they said.
Significance of two CAT benches in Jammu and Kashmir, can be well gauged from the fact that prior to setting up of one bench in Jammu in 2020, the CAT bench at Chandigarh used to cater to the States like Punjab, Haryana, Jammu and Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh and the Union Territory of Chandigarh.
Setting up of CAT bench in Srinagar will expedite the disputes pertaining to service matters of employees from Kashmir that are at present being adjudicated by the bench in Jammu.
The posts of Judicial and Administration Members (two each) have already been created for the two benches. Nearly 13000 cases have been transferred to Central Administrative Tribunal from the High Court of Jammu and Kashmir.
